Rock Band 4 gets online multiplayer in paid expansion this fall

A long-requested online multiplayer mode is coming to the co-op band simulation title Rock Band 4 this fall as part of a paid expansion pack, series creator Harmonix announced this week.

Synchronous online multiplayer is one of several additions slated to arrive for Rock Band 4 by the end of this year, though some content will require players to pay a fee for access.

“As one of our most requested features, synchronous online multiplayer has been a major focus of discussion within the Rock Band 4 development team for a while,” Harmonix stated. “Harmonix is dedicated to bringing high quality features to Rock Band 4, and we intend to continue support of the game as a platform through the entire 2016 year (and beyond!). We’ve listened to our audience, and we’re happy to announce that online multiplayer is confirmed as a major feature in the Rock Band 4 development roadmap.”

While Harmonix did not outline its plans for paid content as part of today’s announcement, the studio revealed additional details during a recent panel discussion at PAX East. In addition to its promised online multiplayer options, GameSpot reports that the upcoming expansion will include additional music catalog sorting features for players with large DLC libraries, along with filtering options and a song ratings system returning from Rock Band 3.

Comparing Rock Band 4‘s forthcoming update to game-changing expansions for Destiny and World of Warcraft, Harmonix community lead Josh Harrison claimed that the package will also include a collection of “really huge and brand new features.”

Harmonix declined to discuss pricing when the subject was brought up during a subsequent Q&A session. Thus far, Harmonix has issued no word as to whether it plans to reintroduce keyboard controller support or other major features present in Rock Band 3 but absent from 2015’s sequel.

Not all forthcoming Rock Band 4 updates will require a fee, however. Harmonix revealed that it will add support for dual kick drum pedals in May, and players can expect a practice mode to arrive as part of a patch rolling out in June.